It’s no secret that we are true believers in the benefits of frozen food and how it can help us have wholesome, balanced, tasty meals all year round. However, there is a risk of ruining everything before even starting the cooking process if you’re not thawing the food properly. Not only does this pose a health risk but it will also spoil the taste. To avoid all that, read our guide on how to defrost food safely and correctly.
How to Defrost Peas
Frozen peas are such a freezer staple and for good reason: they’re nutritious, they go with pretty much everything and last but not least, they are really tasty!
So, good news: when you’re prepping your ingredients for a delicious pea recipe, there is no need to defrost. You can cook them straight from frozen.
We insist on one thing though: don’t refreeze after defrosting, they won’t quite be the same.
How to Defrost Frozen Vegetables
Stocking up on frozen veg is a great way to have a nutritious, balanced diet all year round. Our range includes plenty of assorted combos that can satisfy even the fussiest eaters.
They’re also super-useful when you have to prepare a quick lunch or dinner, so not having to defrost them in advance makes them even more convenient.
We recommend to either microwave or boil the veg straight from the freezer, in order to retain more vitamins. You’ll find the instructions on the back of each pack.
If you’re opting for one of our veg-packed meat-free products, the best way to cook them is straight from frozen, according to their instructions.
How Do I Defrost Birds Eye Chicken
We don’t like to brag but our frozen chicken range has everything for everyone. Whether you’re having a cheeky Chicken Shop takeaway at home, in the mood for some breaded chicken or making a healthy chargrilled chicken salad, you will be pleased to know that our products don’t require defrosting ahead. We are actually adamant about cooking them straight from frozen, either by baking them in the oven or on the grill (always check the pack) in order to preserve that top-notch taste.
How to Defrost Meat Safely?
When it comes to frozen meat, things get a bit trickier. When meat is frozen, bacteria becomes inactive due to the very cold temperature. However, during the thawing process, it can quickly multiply if the meat is left out at room or warm temperature. To prevent food poisoning it’s best to not leave it on the counter, or run the frozen meat under warm water.
The best way to defrost meat is in the fridge, which obviously involves some preparation ahead (meaning, remembering to take the meat out of the freezer in time). Here’s how:
- Put the meat in a bowl or a deep plate to capture all the juices
- Cover it loosely
- Place it on the bottom shelf of the fridge
Make sure that the meat has defrosted in its entirety before cooking. The time it takes to defrost depends on how large the meat is. Once the meat is defrosted completely, you need to cook it within 24 hours to prevent it from spoiling.
If time is at the essence and you have to defrost some meat quickly, then you could use the microwave but make sure to use the defrost setting or set the power really low. You don’t want the meat to start cooking on the outside.
Can You Refreeze Thawed Meat?
Sorry to disappoint, but you should never refreeze meat, including chicken and fish that has been defrosted. If you do end up with a bigger portion of food than you’ve intended it’s best to cook it all and then freeze the meal once it’s cooled off. You can even divide the meal into servings and freeze them separately, that way you will not defrost everything at once.
Now that you know how to defrost food correctly and how to store it at the right freezer temperature, there is no stopping you in conquering the kitchen. Not sure where to start? Browse our extensive recipe library for inspiration or check out our range of frozen food products.